Research Guidelines for Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Herbal Medicines

Sets out detailed guidelines for conducting scientific research on the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines.

The guidelines, which reflect the consensus reached by 17 experts in pharmacology, biochemistry, and traditional medicine, respond to the need to assure the safety of widely-used herbal medicines while also facilitating the search for new pharmaceutical products.

Specific research criteria are covered together with general principles of investigation, including ethical concerns.